Has Nissan really created the world’s first self-cleaning car? If tests go well, their superhydrophobic coating may allow our autos to bid bye-bye to the car wash. Credit: Nissan Europe; YouTube

Are automatic car washes about to become archaic?

If Nissan has anything to do with it, the car wash may soon be following in the footsteps of movie rental stores, the milkman, and Crispy M&Ms (yes, those were a thing).

According to the automaker, they have unveiled a prototype of the European-market Nissan Note with a protective super-hydrophobic paint that self-cleans.

Much like solar coatings that clean themselves, the car company’s Ultra-Ever Dry is “specially engineered” to repel water and oils, as well as mud, rain, and the everyday dirt that sends us racing to touchless car washes on the regular. A protective layer of air between the paint and Mother Nature helps stop standing water and spray from the road mark the car’s surface. Check out the video above to see exactly how Ever-Dry works.

For now, the company has no plans to use the new coating in its standard model, though aftermarket options may include the protective paint.

The world’s first self-cleaning car will see testing “in a variety of conditions” over the next few months. The coating, marketed by Ultra Tech International Inc., apparently has received positive marks in tests against rain, spray, frost, sleet, and standing water.